CO129-317 - Governor Sir Blake - 1903 [4-6] — Page 155

COPY.

Enclosure 2.

Honourable Colonial Secretary,

C.O. 20542

TREC

( 4 JUN 03)

152

The only objection I see to the proposal

is that the two additional men recently appointed for Buildings Ordinance work (Dobbs and Hutchings) were designated Overseers

and given salaries of £210 rising to £250. They have only been

in the Colony a few months.

It does not seem reasonable to appoint

the third man at a higher salary and under a designation which

implies a higher class of appointment. If such a thing be done,

it follows that the two men already appointed must be similarly

treated and I am not in favour of altering the terms of these

men's appointments after only a few months' service. I do not

consider that it will do them any good; probably the reverse.

Then, again, we have some 9 other

Overseers, generally excellent men and some of them having

considerable service, whose duties are at least as responsible

as those of the Buildings Ordinance Overseers. The proposal

now made, if carried out, would undoubtedly give rise to grave

discontent among them as well as among their juniors.

The only appointments, for which I have

hitherto recommended larger salaries than those fixed for the

First Class Overseers, are those connected with the Law Courts

and Tytam Tuk Works, both of which are of a very special

character and would be filled by men of a special class, even

in England. Both these appointments are designated "Clerk

of Works".

The telegram refers to "age", but, for

the duties to be performed, young men are required. The age given in the particulars is 30, 85, but this might be modified slightly. I believe Dobbs and Hutchings are both under 30. Mr. Tooker speaks very well of the manner in which they perform

their